Guaranteed latency of 1/100,000th of a second or less, no data loss
Developed in a form applicable to high-capacity transmission network systems
Performance proven in KOREN interoperability test between Seoul and Daejeon


Domestic researchers have developed a technology that prevents increased latency and data loss even when traffic surges on a communication network. This is expected to aid in the construction of 5G ultra-low latency network infrastructure.

The Korea Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) announced on the 10th that it has successfully tested 'Deterministic Networking (DetNet) technology' on the Korea Research Network for Future Networks (KOREN).

By utilizing this technology, data transmission time between devices connected remotely over a network can be minimized and predicted, and precise control is possible without data loss. As a result, it is expected to be widely utilized in industrial fields such as remote control, telemedicine, smart factories, and drone control, as well as in ultra-realistic services such as remote VR and holographic communication.

ETRI, together with the National Information Society Agency (NIA), succeeded in demonstrating gigabit (Gbps) data transmission between nodes connecting optical transmission systems over a round trip of 430 km between Daejeon and Seoul for two weeks starting in late October.

The packet equipment currently comprising the Internet cannot predict how much delay will occur during traffic transmission if interference arises. If a network failure occurs, information being transmitted is lost during the recovery process. Even after recovery, additional tasks, such as resending information, are required, resulting in a decline in service quality.

The technology developed by ETRI features a fixed maximum latency even in situations of traffic overload. Data can be transmitted with a latency of no more than one hundred thousandth of a second per node at the latest. Even if a network failure occurs during transmission, there is no data loss, fundamentally preventing additional delays or the loss of critical information.

The research team improved existing technology, which was limited to local area networks (LANs), to enable communication over a wider range, including nationwide corporate networks. Currently, this technology is undergoing standardization by the Internet International Standardization Organization (IETF).

Jeong Tae-sik, Head of the Ultra-Low Latency Network Research Lab at ETRI, stated, “By securing core technologies for ultra-low latency and lossless packet delivery—key technologies for next-generation networking—at an early stage, we have created an opportunity to lead the co-growth of convergence industries as well as generate economic benefits.”

This technology is significant in that it successfully tested not only the DetNet research prototype developed by ETRI through joint research with SK Telecom and SMEs such as Cowiver and Woorinet, but also the Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) switches from the SMEs.

Moving forward, the research team plans to reduce latency per node to 4 millionths of a second, improving latency performance by 2.5 times compared to the current level, and further enhance the system to ensure no loss even in the event of multiple failures. In addition, they intend to increase transmission time from the existing 1 Gigabit class to 10 Gigabits (Gbps) or higher. Furthermore, while developing core technologies for ultra-low latency and lossless networking and pursuing international standardization of time-deterministic high-reliability network technologies, they also plan to transfer these technologies to domestic transmission companies.